A decade on from one of the club's finest achievements, then Colts' manager Bill Gornall-King looks back on the 38-10 reverse against Bedford Blues in the National Cup final.

He writes: "May 2, 2011 was the culmination of an unbeaten season for the Colts, who had won the Oxon, Bucks and Berks Colts league (the first Rams side to do so), as they travelled to Franklin’s Gardens for the Final of the National Colts Cup to play Bedford Blues Academy, the current holders who had appeared in four of the previous five finals.

In those days Colts were a combination of Under 19s (Senior Colts) and U18s (Junior Colts).

The National Colts Cup was a knock-out tournament and to reach the final the Colts had beaten Ashford (Kent), London Scottish, Blackheath, South Woodham Ferrers, Winchester, Leighton Buzzard and Moseley.

For the 12 Under 19s in the Colts Squad of 22 on the day, this would be their final game as Colts and for some their very last game as Minis and Juniors at Rams after 14 years.

The group had been hugely successful right from the off in the days of competitive Minis Festivals, winning consistently at Havant and Marlow from U8s upwards and as Juniors winning their Berkshire Youth League age groups at U13s, 15s and 16s (finishing runners up at 14s on the same league points as but scoring one less try than Windsor).

In the squad that day were Senior Colts who went on to play for the 1st XV club: Ross Crame, Connor Stapely, Tom Vooght, Harry Stapleton and Sean McDermottroe and from the Junior Colts, Dom Gosling and Mike Davies.

Coached by Jason McMahon, himself a former Colt who had gone on to become 1st XV captain and club stalwart, supported by former 1st XV players Dave Randall and Frankie Richardson, the entire Colts squad had become a close-knit and cohesive group of players, many blessed with enormous talent but all with an enviable work ethic and desire to improve.

On the day the better side won but it was Leighton Buzzard’s coach (whose best player George Messum had been headhunted by Bedford Blues), a spectator on the day, who summed it up:

“I was at the final yesterday and was very impressed with your side, who acquitted themselves extremely well throughout – great defence, great heart, great effort, great commitment and great team spirit.

“At the end of the game your lads were rightly celebrating a great achievement throughout the season. For me moral victors on the day, achieved with all your own players!”

It was an emotional end to an incredible season and for some the end of a 14-year journey, but a journey that many have continued at Rams.

A more pleasant, committed and thoroughly pleasant (off the pitch) group of young men you could not hope to meet.

It truly was a day never to be forgotten! Even now, after a decade, I am proud to have played a part in those players’ journeys.

Ten years on, seven of the Colts are still active members of the club: Ross Crame, Connor Stapely and Tom Vooght all playing for the 1st XV, Harry Stapleton in the coaching team of the Senior Squad; Rob Jones coaching and Harry Gornall-King and Alex Leicester playing in the Centaurs.